It's All About the Kids: Companies That Target Youngsters

Investing is always challenging, particularly when you are trying to diversify your portfolio.

Most investors probably don't relish thinking of investing as a game, even though that is exactly what it is. But investing in toy and game companies can add some much-needed diversity to your portfolio. It can also help make your personal bottom line something to brag about to the other kids at the playground -- the "other kids" being fellow investors on the "playground" that is Wall Street.

While investing in the game and toy market is nothing new, it is common for investors to push these kinds of companies to the back of the proverbial line until the Christmas holiday season, when they tend to see higher revenues relative to the rest of the year.

But there are a number of companies that are good investment bets year-round, and that can add a little fun and pep to your portfolio. Some of the more sought-after ones:

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW).  Unlike traditional toy manufacturers that make toys and games and distribute them to retailers, Build-A-Bear has flipped the toy-making concept on its ear. The idea of making a stuffed animal from scratch has taken the toy market by storm, and has carved out a nice little niche market for the company.

The whole idea behind and challenge in marketing to people who don't have any money to spend, i.e. children, is to getting them to convince the people who do have money, i.e. their parents, to spend that money on your product. And creating your own stuffed animal practically from scratch is a concept that has a proven appeal to both children and their parents – and not just around the holidays either.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS). Among the many factors this iconic toy and game manufacturer has going for it, and something that gives it a significant advantage over the competition, is its history. For 90 years Hasbro has been a driving force in the toy manufacturing industry. Recently, however, it's had to rely on a major marketing promotion to boost sales -- such as its partnership with Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures in conjunction with the release of the Transformers films. These kinds of promotions notwithstanding, Hasbro is still near the top of the toy manufacturing game and makes a solid addition to any portfolio.

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT). Much like Hasbro, Mattel is, for all intents and purposes, a household name and thus a very big player in the toy and game industry. The company has a nearly six percent yield on free cash flow over the last decade, and the company's 2013 third quarter report posted six percent year-over-year quarterly sales growth -- to put it just over the $2 billion mark with a profit increase of 16 percent. Any way you slice it, Mattel is a tested, tried, and true stock pick for 2013.

Posted-In: children children's products Christmas shopping season holiday shopping season retail teddy bears Toys And Games IndustryNews Guidance Markets Best of Benzinga

(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Traders & Investors Summit

Stocks’ record run continues: Futures climb

Major premarket benchmarks traded higher on Wednesday morning.

Dow Jones industrial average index futures gained 0.5%, Standard & Poor's 500 index futures climbed 0.6% and Nasdaq index futures added about 3%.

In Asia, China's Shanghai composite index was down 1.3%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 was off nearly 2% as the yen gained against the U.S. dollar, which can hurt sales and profits at Japanese exporters.

WALL STREET: Stocks breaking all-time highs

DOW: Not part of stocks' record run

Slower U.S. hiring and reports of tighter money market conditions in China that could check its economic recovery were acting as a weight for the region.

In Europe, stocks mostly fell, breaking a recent winning streak. The United Kingdom's FTSE 100 index dropped 0.4% and the DAX index in Germany was down by a similar amount. Spain's IBEX 35 index retreated over 1% even though there was some positive growth data there. The Bank of Spain estimates that the Iberian nation has now exited recession for the first time in over two years.

In the prior session, the Dow gained 0.5% to 15,467.66, the Nasdaq rose 0.2% to 3,929.57 and the S&P 500 added 0.6% to close at an all-time high of 1,754.67.

TUESDAY: S&P rises to fourth consecutive record close

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude for December delivery was down 83 cents at $97.47 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.38 to $98.30 on Tuesday.

Contributing: Associated Press

Are All Airlines Now Overvalued in the 2014 Outlook?

If analysts have a price target that is lower than the current share prices across the board for a sector, does that make the entire sector overvalued. This is no simple question, because it is too easy to say “Yes” as your answer. Wall Street analysts have notoriously been chasers, moving price targets up as shares rise and down as they fall. The problem we are faced with now in the airline sector is that the consensus price targets are either lower than most major airliner stock prices today or there is so little upside that the risk-reward ratio is too great.

The pending merger of AMR Corp. (OTC: AAMRQ) and US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) has gone from being blocked to now looking far more likely now that the companies have offered up concessions. This is going to give the entire airline sector some serious pricing power and the power to jam customers into planes like sardines if they want, plus the right to bilk endlessly with fees for everything. Unfortunately, all of the good news may be priced into the airline stocks at this time.

24/7 Wall St. decided to look at the major airline stocks. All have had serious gains of late based upon a more willing Department of Justice in this second mega-merger among legacy air carriers. If the consensus airline price targets from Thomson Reuters are not adjusted between now and the end of the year, then airline stocks are quite simply going to screen out as overvalued going into 2014. There may still be more than meets the eye to the bulls, but what are investors to do when everyone believes that a sector has run too high?

AMR’s share price of $12.03 compares to a consensus analyst target supposedly of $13.00. We have a hard time trusting this figure because it is an OTC stock. Merger partner US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE: LCC) trades at $24.30 currently, yet its consensus price target is up at $28.40. It is the rest of the sector where things look too pricey.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) just hit a new multi-year and post-merger high of $39.88 on Monday. At $39.85 currently, its 52-week range is $19.54 to $39.88 and its market cap is $14.4 billion. The Thomson Reuters consensus price target of $39.58 is now under the current share price. We would point out that the highest analyst price target is up at $50.00, so at least one analyst believes there is a lot more room to run here.

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has also been on fire. Its stock just hit a multi-year high of $18.80. At $18.65, its 52-week range is $9.16 to $18.80. Thomson Reuters has a consensus price target of almost $18.60. Southwest is now worth $13 billion in its market cap. The median price target is barely higher at $19.00, and the street high analyst target price is $22.00 for the stock.

Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) just hit a new high of $29.39 as well. At $29.17, its new 52-week range is $9.50 to $29.39 and its market cap is worth close to $25 billion. The UAL-Continental merger and AMR-US merger may leave Delta as odd-man-out for the legacy carriers. The consensus price target is only a few percent higher at $30.88 and $34.00 is the highest price target.

Then there is JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU). JetBlue would be the last major regional or super-regional carrier to go after of any size. At $8.97, the stock recently traded as high as $9.20 versus a 52-week low of only $4.89. This is the highest share price since 2007 and its market value is $2.5 billion. The consensus analyst price target from Thomson Reuters is just under $8.50, but supposedly one analyst target price is all the way up at $12.00.

Here are the forward 2014 P/E ratios if the consensus earnings estimates are met:

United Continental 9.7 Southwest 14.9 Delta 9.6 JetBlue 13.5

Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAVE) is an airline we treat entirely different than other carriers because it is truly the biggest discount airline out there. Its market cap is still worth $3.3 billion and it trades at more than 16-times expected 2014 earnings. Sales growth is still high here because it is still expanding, and if the legacy carriers all get to bilk then it allows the lowest-fare carrier the chance to be a bit less-low even if it is still the lowest. At $45.80, its 52-week range is $16.12 to $46.40. For a comparison of expected sales, JetBlue is expected to have 2014 revenue of almost $5.9 billion versus $1.93 billion for Spirit.

The situation taking place in the airline sector now is that the industry consolidation is taking all of the consumer empowerment away. Airlines can shove you into whatever sized seat they want, and Gordon Bethune would probably tell coach flyers on a CNBC appearance that they are just lucky to not have to sit on the wing or to be shoved into the cargo area. Airlines can now charge you for a carry-on bag or a checked bag. They can charge you too much for that (not-so) wonderful food. Internet and movie charges, and on and on.

All of the new shifts may change the framework for how airlines are valued. Conceivably, even Warren Buffett could change his opinion about owning airline stocks. Their P/E ratios used to be 5 to 8, but now they are much higher. The airline stock prices may go higher still, but we would warn investors that buying now is on the heels of major rallying in the stocks. For these to go much higher logically it is going to take not just one or two analyst upgrades. Much more of a rally will take almost all of these analysts to admit that they were far too conservative in recent years and that a permanent and upward valuation paradigm shift has taken place.

B&G Foods Misses Q3 EPS and Revenue Estimates (BGS)

B&G Foods (BGS) released its third quarter results on Thursday after the closing bell.

The company reported earnings of 35 cents for the third quarter, slightly below analyst expectations of 40 cents. Revenues were reported at $181.4 million, below estimates of $184.83 million. From a year prior, B&G did see net sales increase 17.6%, though net income decreased 9.2% due to losses on extinguishment of debt, and acquisition-related transaction costs of $3.4 million.

Commenting on the company’s performance, CEO David L. Wenner stated “Our business saw continued strong growth in net sales, net income and adjusted EBITDA during the third quarter. Putting acquisition growth aside, our base business net sales followed industry trends and declined for the quarter. Given current trends in the packaged foods industry, we expect growth in our base business to be challenging during the fourth quarter of 2013.”

B&G Foods shares traded 0.43% higher during Thursday’s session. Year-to-date, the stock is up 26.59%.

The Echo Therapeutics Cat is Out of the Bag (ECTE)

Truth be told, Echo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTE) doesn't look like a particularly impressive stock right now. At $2.92 per share, ECTE is just trading right around where it was a few days ago, not to mention a few weeks ago. And, without any real "news" from the company in months, it's tough to think the market's going to be getting excited about the stock anytime soon. When you take a closer look at Echo Therapeutics though, a few subtle-but-compelling clues start to appear.

ECTE is, in simplest terms, a biopharma name that's developed a handful of specialized medicines, delivery devices, and monitoring devices. Its flagship product - if it has one - is the Symphony glucose monitoring systems for diabetes patients, though it's also working on a needle-free drug delivery product as well. For all intents and purposes, Echo Therapeutics Inc. isn't bearing revenue right now; most of its' (and investors') hopes right now rest on the Symphony trial currently underway in Europe. Those results should be unveiled during the current quarter, with a filing for European approval later in Q4.

Those details are academic at this point, however. What matters most right now is the way the chart's been acting of late, and the way it acted today.

As was noted, at first glance ECTE doesn't look particularly compelling. It's not really gone anywhere since the big plunge in June that stemmed from chatter about a secondary offering (which came to pass, by the way). And, today's effort to finally blast past the key 100-day moving average line has ultimately failed, with shares pulling back under that mark. The cat, however, is out of the bag. The bulls have shown they're interested in buying into this stock and paying a fairly lofty price for, and they've shown they're willing to do so even in the absence of news. The next try (or maybe the one after that) should be one that "sticks", carrying Echo Therapeutics Inc. shares above the 100-day average on a more permanent basis.

That being said, it must be noted that the lead-in to today's temporary surge makes it much easier to view today's action in a bullish light. We saw a higher high from ECTE in September, and a higher low from the stock with the low from just a couple of days ago. Though volatile, the undertow has already revealed itself to be a net-bearish one. Between today's high volume and early strength, we're all but over the hump. That first close above the 100-day moving average line (which could still be today) should get the ball rolling all the way back to the $6.00-ish area.

If you'd like to get more trading ideas and insights like this one, sign up for the free SmallCap Network daily e-newsletter. It's full of stock picks, market calls, and more.

5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Corporate insiders sell their own companies' stock for a number of reasons.

>>5 Short-Squeeze Stocks Ready to Pop

They might need the cash for a big personal purchase such as a new house or yacht, or they might need the cash to fund a charity. Sometimes they sell as part of a planned selling program that they have put in place for diversification purposes, which allows them to sell stock in stages instead of selling all at one price.

Other times they sell because they think their stock is overvalued and the risk/reward is no longer attractive. Some even dump their own stock because they have inside knowledge that a competitor is eating their lunch and stealing market share.

But insiders usually buy their own shares for one reason: They think the stock is a bargain and has tremendous upside.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

The key word in that last statement is "think." Just because a corporate insider thinks his or her stock is going to trade higher, that doesn't mean it will play out that way. Insiders can have all the conviction in the world that their stock is a buy, but if the market doesn't agree with them, the stock could end up going nowhere. Also, I say "usually" because sometimes insiders are loaned money by the company to buy their own stock. Those loans are often sweetheart deals and shouldn't be viewed as organic insider buying.

At the end of the day, its large institutional money managers running big mutual funds and hedge funds that drive stock prices, not insiders. That said, many of these savvy stock operators will follow insider buying activity when they agree with the insider that the stock is undervalued and has upside potential. This is why it's so important to always be monitoring insider activity, but it's twice as important to make sure the trend of the stock coincides with the insider buying.

>>5 Dividend Stocks That Want to Pay You More

Recently, a number of companies' corporate insiders have bought large amounts of stock. These insiders are finding some value in the market, which warrants a closer look at these stocks. Here's a look at five stocks whose insiders have been doing some big buying per SEC filings.

Copart

One stock that insiders are snapping up a huge amount of is Copart (CPRT), a provider of online auctions and vehicle remarketing services in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Insiders are buying this stock into modest strength, since shares are up 10.9% so far in 2013.

Copart market cap of 4.12 billion. This stock trades at a fair valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 23.11 and a forward price-to-earnings of 17.65. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 15.1%, and for next year it's pegged at 15.6%.

>>5 Rocket Stocks Worth Buying This Week

The chairman of the board just bought 227,900 shares, or about $7.05 million worth of stock, at $30.73 to $31.08 a share.

From a technical perspective, CPRT is currently trending above its 50-day moving average and just below its 200-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock recently gapped down sharply from $34.71 to around $30.50 a share with heavy downside volume. Following that gap down, shares of CPRT have started to rebound sharply and trend back into that gap area.

If you're bullish on CPRT, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some near-term support at $32 or at $31.50, and then once breaks out above its 200-day moving average of $33.23 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 714,997 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CPRT will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $35 to $37 a share.

Weatherford International

Another stock that insiders are in love with here is Weatherford International (WFT), a global provider of products and services that span the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention cycles of oil and natural gas wells. Insiders are buying this stock into big time strength, since shares are up 41% so far in 2013.

Weatherford International has a market cap of $12.15 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a forward price-to-earnings of 12.35. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 43.1%, and for next year it's pegged at 55.4%.

>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts

A director just bought 78,000 shares, or about $1.18 million worth of stock, at $15.36 per share.

From a technical perspective, WFT is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last six months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $11.66 to its recent high of $16 a share. During that uptrend, shares of WFT have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of WFT within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

If you're in the bull camp on WFT, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above is 50-day at $14.89, and then once it breaks out above its 52-week high at $16 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 6.65 million shares. If we get that move soon, then WFT will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $18 to $22 a share.

Synageva BioPharma

One biopharmaceutical player that insiders are loading up on here is Synageva BioPharma (GEVA), which is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with life-threatening rare diseases and unmet medical need. Insiders are buying this stock into solid strength, since shares are up 43% so far in 2013.

Synageva BioPharma has a market cap of $1.97 billion. Its estimated growth rate for this year is -73.2%, and for next year it's pegged at -22.8%.

>>4 Biotech Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves

A director just bought 1.05 million shares, or about $59.46 million worth of stock, at $56.63 per share.

From a technical perspective, GEVA is currently trending well above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month and change, with shares soaring higher from its low of $44.52 to its intraday high of $68.25 a share. During that uptrend, shares of GEVA have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That said, shares of GEVA have now entered extremely overbought territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 89.

If you're bullish on GEVA, then look for long-biased trades after this stock has cooled off and worked off some of its overbought conditions. I would look for a pullback back toward $62.50 or $60 a share to potentially get long shares of GEVA. Keep in mind that as long as GEVA is trending above its key breakout level of $55, then it remains in a very bullish uptrend.

NuStar GP

An energy player that insiders are jumping into here is NuStar GP (NSH), which is a refiner, marketer, and operator of petroleum product terminals and petroleum liquids pipelines. Insiders are buying this stock into notable weakness, since shares are off by 18.9% so far in 2013.

NuStar GP has a market cap of $954 million. This stock trades at a cheap valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 20.12 and a forward price-to-earnings of 15.27. Its estimated growth rate for the next quarter is 183.3%, and for next year it's pegged at 21.1%.

>>5 Stocks Rising on Big Volume

A director just bought 50,000 shares, or about $1.02 million worth of stock, at $20.45 to $20.77 per share.

From a technical perspective, NSH is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock had been downtrending badly for the last six months, with shares falling sharply lower from its high of $31.09 to its recent low of $19.34 a share. During that downtrend, shares of NSH have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of NSH have now started to rebound off that $19.34 low and it has entered a new uptrend. That move is pushing shares of NSH within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

If you're bullish on NSH, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some key near-term support at $21.80 or at $21 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $22.70 to its 50-day at $23.22 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 205,620 shares. If that breakout hits, then NSH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $26 to its 200-day at $27.20 a share.

Chef's Warehouse

One final name with some decent insider buying is Chef's Warehouse (CHEF), which supplies products such as specialty cheeses, truffles, seafood, cooking oils and flour to restaurants, country clubs, hotels, caterers, culinary schools and specialty food stores. Insiders are buying this stock into bullish strength, since shares are up 44% so far in 2013.

Chef's Warehouse has a market cap of $486.80 million. This stock trades at a fair valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 31.78 and a forward price-to-earnings of 22.46. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 15%, and for next year it's pegged at 12%.

>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

A director just bought 30,000 shares, or $630,000 worth of stock, at $21 per share.

From a technical perspective, CHEF is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last three months, with shares moving higher from its low of $16.29 to its recent high of $24.10 a share. During that uptrend, shares of CHEF have been mostly making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of CHEF within range of triggering a big breakout trade.

If you're bullish on CHEF, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its 50-day at $22.28 or above more near-term support at $20.95, and then once it breaks out above its 52-week high at $24.10 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action o 123,609 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then CHEF will set up to enter new 52-week high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $26 to its all-time high of $27.26 a share.

To see more stocks with notable insider buying, check out the Stocks With Big Insider Buying portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>4 Stocks Under $10 to Watch for Breakouts

>>4 Tech Stocks Spiking on Unusual Volume

>>5 Trades to Take for October Gains

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

Royal Mail’s $5.3 Billion IPO Said to Be Fully Subscribed

Royal Mail Group Ltd. has buyers for all shares to be sold in an initial public offering valuing the 360-year-old U.K. postal service at as much as 3.3 billion pounds ($5.3 billion), two people briefed on the matter said.

The sale began today and was fully subscribed within hours, mainly on demand from institutions, according to the people, who asked not to be named because an update on the fundraising was sent only to investors. Royal Mail shares, open to applications until Oct. 8 before trading commences on Oct. 11, will be priced at 260 pence to 330 pence apiece, according to a statement.

The Royal Mail selloff will be the biggest privatization in the U.K. since former Prime Minister John Major broke up British Rail in the 1990s. The volume of IPOs in Europe has tripled in the year-to-date versus 2012, data compiled by Bloomberg show, as investors are drawn by strengthening economies in the region.

"We are encouraged by the interest shown by potential investors so far," Business Secretary Vince Cable said in the government statement. "This will give Royal Mail access to the private capital it needs to modernize."

Royal Mail, which is based in London, will have a market capitalization of between 2.6 billion pounds and 3.3 billion pounds once listed, with 401 million to 522 million shares due to be sold, equating to as much as 52.2 percent of its capital.

Government Stake

The future of the remaining state shareholding will be determined later, Minister for Business and Enterprise Michael Fallon told Bloomberg Television today. Postal services "aren't businesses that sit naturally in the public sector," he said, adding: "Its future lies in the private sector."

The U.K. government wouldn't be able to block a foreign takeover of Royal Mail once the shares are traded, Fallon said, while adding that the company will have access to capital needed to expand internationally as other nations open postal markets.

Royal Mail has a 53 percent share of U.K. parcel deliveries and reported revenue of about 9.1 billion pounds in fiscal 2013. Its operating profit, after some costs, was 440 million pounds.

One of the country's largest employers with more than 150,000 staff, Royal Mail has shifted away from letters to more lucrative package shipping, competing with TNT Express NV (TNTE) of the Netherlands and Deutsche Post AG (DPW)'s DHL Express.

The government, which decided in 2011 to privatize Royal Mail, will retain between 37.8 and 49.9 percent of stock, assuming no over-allotment options. A further 15 percent of shares may be made available beyond the base offer, it said.

Strike Poll

The government expects about 70 percent of the base offer to go to institutional investors and the rest to retail buyers and Royal Mail workers. The minimum application for the retail offer is 750 pounds of stock, or 500 pounds for employees.

Staff, some of whom plan to strike over the sale, will also be handed a total of 10 percent of the shares for free out of the government holding, valued at as much as 331 million pounds.

The Communications Workers Union said in a statement that the IPO is driven by "political dogma" and that Royal Mail can be profitable and successful under public ownership. A strike ballot closes Oct. 16, with walkouts possible from Oct. 23.

Britain's opposition Labour Party said today Royal Mail is being sold so ministers "can raise a quick buck" amid concern about the possible impact on local communities, adding that privatizing such a profitable business "makes no sense."

Bookrunners for the sale are Goldman Sachs Group Inc., UBS AG (UBSN), Barclays Plc (BARC) and Merrill Lynch & Co., with Investec Ltd., Nomura Bank International Plc and RBC Europe Ltd. lead managers, said the government, which is being advised by Lazard Ltd. (LAZ)

Royal Mail will have an implied dividend yield of 6.1 to 7.7 percent of its initial market value for the year ending March 31, with a notional full-year dividend of 200 million pounds, the statement said. For the period in which the shares will actually be traded the payment will be 133 million pounds.

Will Take-Two Interactive Continue This Bullish Run?

With shares of Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ:TTWO) trading around $18, is TTWO an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Take-Two Interactive is a developer, marketer, and publisher of interactive entertainment for consumers worldwide. The company develops and publishes products through its two wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under the 2K Games, 2K Sports, and 2K Play brands. Its products are designed for console gaming systems, handheld gaming systems, and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets. It delivers its products through physical retail, digital download, online platforms, and cloud streaming services. Rockstar Games is the developer and publisher of the brand Grand Theft Auto as well as other franchises, including L.A. Noire, Max Payne, Midnight Club, and Red Dead.

Recently, Take-Two Interactive announced record-setting first day retail sales of Grand Theft Auto V that exceeded expectations. Sell-through for the September 17 release exceeded $800 million worldwide, not including upcoming launches in Brazil and Japan, setting new records for Take-Two Interactive and the series. The retail figure translates to roughly $640 million wholesale, or around 12 million units, given higher foreign prices. First-day sales exceeded GTA IV sales, roughly $310 million, due in part to a much larger current console installed base, and topped Activision Blizzard's (NASDAQ:ATVI) recent Call of Duty games. Last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 sold over $500 million, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sold over $400 million in North America and the UK.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are Strong

Take-Two Interactive stock has been surging higher over recent quarters. The stock is now trading near high prices not seen since early 2008. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Take-Two Interactive is trading above its rising key averages, which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Take-Two Interactive options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Take-Two Interactive Options	52.01%	86%	85%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very significant amount of call and put options contracts as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
October Options	Flat	Average
November Options	Flat	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Increasing Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Take-Two Interactive’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Take-Two Interactive look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	45.38%	132.94%	312.50%	73.68%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	-36.91%	102.20%	75.93%	155.10%
Earnings Reaction	3.35%	0.91%	14.06%	0.53%

Take-Two Interactive has seen increasing earnings and revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have been upbeat about Take-Two Interactive’s recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Take-Two Interactive stock done relative to its peers, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA), Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and sector?

	Take-Two Interactive	Electronic Arts	Activision Blizzard	Microsoft	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	70.66%	82.16%	60.08%	23.40%	42.73%

Take-Two Interactive has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

Take-Two Interactive is a developer and provider of interactive entertainment for the use in gaming systems, personal computer, smartphones, and tablets worldwide. The company is reportedly seeing stronger than expected sales from its latest release, Grand Theft Auto V. The stock has been surging higher in recent quarter and is currently trading near multi-year highs. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenues have been on the rise which has produced upbeat investors. Relative to its peers and sector, Take-Two Interactive has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Take-Two Interactive to OUTPERFORM.

Countries With The Most Immigrants

The United States has always been regarded as a nation of immigrants. Recently-published figures from the United Nations support this view. More than 45 million immigrants live in the U.S., according to UN figures, more than four times as many living in any other nation in the world.

Based on figures recently released by the UN's Population Division, 24/7 Wall St. identified the eight nations with the highest total number of international migrants living inside their borders as of this year. These are the countries with the most immigrants.

Click here to see the top immigration destinations

Several of the nations with the highest migrant populations are also among the world's most populous. Both the U.S., and Russia are all among the 10 most populous countries in the world. Five of the eight nations are among the world's 30 most populous nations.

Despite having large migrant populations, many of these nations do not have policies that actively support immigration. In fact, according to the UN, the governments of Saudi Arabia, France, the United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates all promoted policies aimed at lowering the level of immigration into their countries, as of 2011. Only one of these nations, Russia, actively promoted immigration into their country as of 2011.

Most of these countries maintain different, more-accommodating policies for high-skilled workers than for most other potential immigrants, according to Vinod Mishra, chief of the population policy section of the United Nations Population Division. "It's mostly the [number of] highly-skilled workers that almost all countries are trying to raise," Mishra told 24/7 Wall St.

The actual immigration trends in these countries do not necessarily reflect the policies their governments have tried to enforce. Russia, which has actively sought to increase immigration, has had its immigrant population fall by 10% since 2010. Germany, which has sought to recruit highly-skilled workers from slumping Euro zone nations, has failed to retain many of the skilled workers that arrive there, and has also experienced a meaningful decrease in its immigrant population.

Similarly, all four nations whose governments viewed immigration as too high as of 2011 have seen immigrant populations rise between 2010 and 2013. In one such nation, the UAE, the number of immigrants has more-than doubled in that time.

One reason for the disparity between policy and migration rates is that some nations are more appealing to potential immigrants than others. The U.S.’s GDP per capita was more than $49,900 in 2012, among the highest in the world. All but one of the countries leading the world in immigrant population were among the top 30 countries in the world for per capita GDP in 2012. Mishra added that while nations can determine how many people they allow in, the decision to move to a certain nation is largely driven by demand. And the primary driver of demand, according to Mishra, are "financial factors [and] the availability of jobs."

To determine the nations with the most immigrants as of July 1 2013, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed figures published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' Population Division as part of its International Migration 2013 report. Information about governments’ attitudes and policies towards immigration and emigration, as well as statistics on the total number of international migrants from 2010, comes from the Population Division's International Migration Policies 2013 report. Per capita GDP figures, which are adjusted to reflect purchasing power parity exchange rates, are from the IMF. Other measures, used to guage a nation's attractiveness, are from the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014.

These are the countries with the most immigrants.

Madoff victims may share in $2.35B federal fund

NEW YORK — Victims of Bernard Madoff's infamous Ponzi scheme have a chance to make claims for a share of a $2.35 billion federal recovery fund, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Monday.

The fund is open to applications from burned customers who invested with Madoff indirectly through financial feeder funds, investment groups and other pooled investment vehicles, said Bharara.

The federal fund is separate from the recovery and repayment process being pursued on victims' behalf by Irving Picard, a court-appointed trustee. Courts have ruled that indirect Madoff investors are not allowed to seek recovery from the trustee, who so far has recovered more than $9.5 billion of the estimated $20 billion investors lost in the fraud.

"The process we have put in place opens the door for thousands of defrauded victims who otherwise might never have recovered anything," said Bharara. "We have made eligibility to recover far more inclusive, and more equitable, than ever before."

Madoff's decades-long scam collapsed in Dec. 2008 when he confessed that he had been using money from some customers to pay others. The 75-year-old disgraced financier pleaded guilty without standing trial and is now serving a 150-year federal prison term.

Five of Madoff's former employees are now standing trial in New York on charges that they knowingly facilitated the fraud and received millions of dollars from Madoff. All have said they were victims of the scam architect.

Since the scam collapsed, federal prosecutors and Picard have independently pursued efforts to recover funds from Madoff, his relatives and a variety of others, including investors who benefited financially before the scam collapsed.

Approximately $2.2 billion of the new victim fund announced by prosecutors came via a Dec. 2010 civil forfeiture recovery from the estate of deceased Madoff investor Jeffry Picower, said Bharara. The remaining funds were collected via civil forfeiture actions against investor Carol Shapiro and! separate actions against Madoff, his brother, Peter and accused co-conspirators.

According to the Monday's announcement by prosecutors, nearly anyone who lost funds invested with Madoff and who can document their net loss will be eligible to seek recovery from the new victim fund. Claims must be received by Feb. 28, 2014.

Detailed information about the fund, including eligibility criteria and instructions for filing claims can be found at www.madoffvictimfund.com.

Additional questions about eligibility or filing procedures may be directed to the office of a special master overseeing the fund at 866-624-3670 or at info@madoffvictimfund.com. Richard Breeden, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is serving as the special master under a Department of Justice appointment.

Housing Recovery Is a Confidence Game

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The housing recovery is showing signs of strain as rising rates, higher home prices and a shortage of homes for sale has dampened homebuyer enthusiasm.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist Ethan Harris noted in a report Friday that a number of housing indicators have weakened recently including housing starts, mortgage applications and new-home sales.

This is worrying, especially if interest rates rise further. As Harris put it, "While borrowing costs remain very low by historic standards, it is not clear whether the market is ready to come off 'life support' yet."

Bank of America Merrill Lynch's economists have so far maintained that the recent rise in interest rates would not derail the recovery as homebuyers continue to expect prices to go higher. That momentum from higher price expectations should offset the impact of rising rates. The economists expect home prices to rise 12% in 2013 and then expect gains to moderate to about 6% in 2014. But a collapse in home prices is unlikely, according to Harris, for three reasons. First, home prices are fairly "sticky" because buyers are slow to change their expectations in response to evolving trends. Secondly, the housing market is not as interest-rate sensitive today because there is significant pent-up demand from homeowners who exited in the downturn. Plus in the current credit market, it is the availability of credit rather than interest rates that are influencing the decision of buyers, particularly at the lower end. Basically, the buyers who are sensitive to interest rates are weeded out by the tough credit conditions. Lastly, Harris cited academic models that have found that interest rates have a smaller impact on home prices. Still, home prices respond with a lag to weakening activity so it might make more sense to study more timely demand data such as starts and permits and mortgage applications as well as the Michigan survey on home price expectations.

He added that if expectations of home prices continue to drop, BofA will cut its forecast.

In sum, the housing recovery right now rests on homebuyer confidence. Given the state of the economy now, the foundation is still weak.

-- Written by Shanthi Bharatwaj in New York.

>Contact by Email. Follow @shavenk

Disclosure: TheStreet's editorial policy prohibits staff editors and reporters from holding positions in any individual stocks.

Is Smithfield Foods a Worthwhile Investment?

With shares of Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD) trading around $34, is SFD an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework.

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Smithfield Foods produces and markets a variety of fresh meat and packaged meat products both domestically and internationally. It operates in four segments: Pork, Hog Production, International, and Corporate, each of which consists of a number of subsidiaries, joint ventures, and other investments. Fresh and packaged meats are essential food choices for many consumers around the world. As populations grow and consumers look to add these options to their food choices, companies like Smithfield Foods stand to see significant profits. So long as demand for meat products exists and populations expand, Smithfield Foods will continue to be a strong company.

Smithfield Foods's acquisition by Chinese meat producer Shuanghui International is expected to close by September 26, as it is believed 50 percent of Smithfield investors will approve the deal. Smithfield's shareholder meeting to vote on the deal is scheduled for Tuesday, Reuters reports. The $4.7 billion deal would be the largest Chinese takeover of a U.S. company. It has faced significant backlash from consumers and lawmakers over food safety concerns.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are Strong

Smithfield Foods stock has moved significantly higher in the years extending back to the financial crisis. The stock is currently fairly stagnant, as a takeover of the company may be imminent. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Smithfield Foods is trading above its rising key averages, which signals neutral to bullish price action in the near term.

Source: Thinkorswim

Taking a look at the implied volatility and implied volatility skew levels of Smithfield Foods options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Smithfield Foods Options	5.32%	0%	0%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very minimal amount of call and put options contracts as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
October Options	Flat	Average
November Options	Flat	Average

As of Wednesday, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very minimal amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

E = Earnings Are Mixed Quarter Over Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Smithfield Foods’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Smithfield Foods look like and, more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	-32.50%	-56.59%	18.37%	-90.54%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	9.77%	3.47%	3.02%	-2.62%
Earnings Reaction	-0.11%	-0.03%	10.67%	0.34%

Smithfield Foods has seen decreasing earnings and rising revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have had mixed feelings about Smithfield Foods’s recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Smithfield Foods stock done relative to its peers – Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN), Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL), and Seaboard (

target=”_blank”>NYSE:SEB

) — and sector?

	Smithfield Foods	Tyson Foods	Hormel Foods	Seaboard	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	58.04%	55.82%	39.15%	10.72%	35.68%

Smithfield Foods has been a relative performance leader, year to date.

Conclusion

Smithfield Foods is a provider of fresh and packaged meat products that are seen as a staple food item for many consumers and growing populations worldwide. A takeover of the company is believed to be going through after a shareholder vote scheduled for Tuesday. The stock has been moving higher in recent years and is now trading slightly below all-time high prices. Over the last four quarters, investors have had mixed feelings about the company, as earnings have been decreasing and revenues have been rising. Relative to its peers and sector, Smithfield Foods has been a year-to-date performance leader. WAIT AND SEE if a vote to acquire Smithfield Foods goes through.

Company Creating $25K Doomsday Timeshares Beneath Ground for Survivalists

A company hoping to cash in on people’s fear of the potential doom facing the world are creating the perfect utopian world for doomsday survivalists.

And that world can yours for an easy payment of $25,000.

Terra Vivos is building underground doomsday timeshares — communities “built to withstand a 50-megaton nuclear blast 10 miles away, 450mph winds, a magnitude-10 earthquake, 10 days of 1,250°F surface fires, and three weeks beneath any flood.”

The communities offer Luxury Class and Economy Class, which are sure to be respected when all rule of law has been eliminated and the earth is ravaged by nuclear holocaust.

From RoadTrippers:

The shelter is located 50-150ft below the Missouri River bluffs, in part of a former limestone mine, known as the Atchison Storage Facility. This facility served as a secure bunker complex for the U.S. government since World War 2 up until 2013, when the company behind the Vivos Survival Shelter and Resort acquired a large portion of the 2.7 million sq. ft. underground storage facility. The Vivos shelters will also come with their very own “Cryovaults” that will house “reproductive gamete cells and DNA of humans and animals for a potential re-population of the Earth.”

Why panic alone when you can do it with neighbors?

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now

The major U.S. markets are moderately lower this afternoon. As of 12:50 p.m. EDT the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is down 42 points, or 0.27%, while the S&P 500 has lost 0.45% and the Nasdaq is 0.33% lower. Earlier today it was reported that homebuilder confidence is now at its highest level in seven and a half years and that industrial production rose in June. But investors are now seeing signs that the economy may not be as strong as it seems and may face serious challenges in the future. A few earnings reports (more on those below) and inflation concerns are sending stocks lower today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its Consumer Price Index today, reporting that prices rose 0.5% in June. While the bulk of the increase owed to higher energy prices, which rose 3.4%, the CPI is up 1.6% over the past year, and when you take out food and energy, the core CPI rose 0.2% in June.�

On to earnings
As earnings season marches on, two Dow components released results this morning. Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO  ) reported earnings of $0.63 per share when excluding one-time items, which is in line with expectations, but it missed Wall Street's estimated revenue of $12.95 billion, posting sales of $12.75 billion. The company cited "bad weather" as a reason for its weakness. Its overall volume rose, even as its key product, sodas, realized a 4% volume decline. Shares of Coke are down 1.4% at the time of writing.�

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now: Bankers Petroleum Ltd (BNK.TO)

Bankers Petroleum Ltd. (Bankers) is engaged in the exploration for and oil in Albania. The Company generates all of the oil revenue from its operations in Albania, which is located northwest of Greece in South Eastern Europe. In Albania, Bankers operates and has the rights to develop the Patos-Marinza and Kucova oilfields pursuant to License Agreements with the Albanian National Agency for Natural Resources (AKBN) and Petroleum Agreements with Albpetrol Sh.A (Albpetrol), the state-owned oil and gas corporation. The Patos-Marinza oilfield is an onshore oilfield in continental Europe, holding approximately 5.1 billion barrels of original-oil-in-place (OOIP). The Company also has rights to exploration Block F (adjacent to the Patos-Marinza oilfield), an 185,000 acre oil and gas prone exploration field. The Company�� subsidiaries include Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. (BPAL), Bankers Petroleum International Limited (BPIL) and Sherwood International Petroleum Ltd (Sherwood).

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now: Halliburton Company(HAL)

Halliburton Company provides various products and services to the energy industry for the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services, completion tools and services, cementing services, and Boots & Coots. Its production enhancement services include stimulation and sand control services; completion tools and services comprise subsurface safety valves and flow control equipment, surface safety systems, packers and specialty completion equipment, intelligent completion systems, expandable liner hanger systems, sand control systems, well servicing tools, and reservoir performance services; cementing services consist of bonding the well and well casing, while isolating fluid zones and maximizing wellbore stability, and casing equipment; and Boots & Coots include well intervention services , pressure control, equipment rental tools and services, and pipeline and process services. The Drilling and Evaluation segment provides field and reservoir modeling, drilling, evaluation, and wellbore placement solutions that enable customers to model, measure, and optimize their well construction activities. Its services comprise fluid services, drilling services, drill bits, wireline and perforating services, testing and subsea services, software and asset solutions, and integrated project management and consulting services. The company serves independent, integrated, and national oil companies. Halliburton Company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tyler Crowe and Aimee Duffy]

  It has been a long process cleaning up the 1,100 miles of coastline that was contaminated during the spill. BP and rig operator Transocean (NYSE: RIG  ) combined have spent almost $20 billion in litigation and cleanup costs. In this video, Fool.com contributors Tyler Crowe and Aimee Duffy look at how BP, Transocean, and the third party involved in Macondo spill, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) have fared after the spill.

• [By Isac Simon]

  It's been a busy week for Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) . And at the end, the second largest oil services company seems to have come out trumps. Here is a company whose management knows what it's doing. The strategy to return cash to investors through share buybacks is proving to be a master stroke.

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  For investors, oil stocks are certainly shining this earnings season. OXY and BP, as well previous reports by Schlumberger (SLB) and Halliburton (HAL), are proving that fact.

• [By Sean Williams]

  This week, we'll hop on over to the oil and natural gas drilling equipment and service sector and examine why Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) makes for an attractive future income play.

Top Oil Companies To Invest In 2014: SilverCrest Mines Inc (SVL.V)

SilverCrest Mines Inc. (SilverCrest) is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Mexico and Central America. The Company�� principal focus is the development and operation of the Santa Elena Project, which property consists of seven mineral concessions totaling 2,726.54 hectares, portions of which include the producing Santa Elena gold and silver mine located northeast of Hermosillo, Sonora State, Mexico. It operates in three segments: the mine operations at Santa Elena, Mexico; mine exploration and evaluation projects at La Joya and Cruz de Mayo, Mexico, and Corporate. The Company is also focused on exploring and developing its La Joya Property located in Durango, Mexico, which contains a discovered polymetallic deposit. The Company�� other mineral properties include the Cruz de Mayo Project (Mexico), the La Joya Property (Mexico), the Silver Angel Project (Mexico) and the El Zapote Project (El Salvador).

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now: Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(CLF)

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., a mining and natural resources company, produces iron ore pellets, lump and fines iron ore, and metallurgical coal products. The company operates six iron ore mines in Michigan, Minnesota, and eastern Canada; two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia; five metallurgical coal mines located in West Virginia and Alabama; and one thermal coal mine located in West Virginia. It also owns a 45% economic interest in a coking and thermal coal mine located in Queensland, Australia; and a 30% interest in Amapa, a Brazilian iron ore project in Latin America, as well as chromite properties in Ontario, Canada. The company, formerly known as Cleveland-Cliffs Inc, was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Divine]

  Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: CLF  ) slipped 3.6%, as the mining company felt the effects of weak industrial data from China today. The rapidly growing Chinese economy is the second largest in the world, and much of its growth relies on its manufacturing and industrial capabilities. The fact that its factory output decreased for the first time in seven months spells some potentially rough times ahead for Cliffs and other industry-reliant industries.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  U.S. iron-ore miners have also risen thanks to China optimism. Cliff’s Natural Resources (CLF), for one, has jumped 3.1% to $25.09 today, continuing a hot streak that saw it gain 18% last week. Dubinsky and Chaudhri explain:

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now: American Power Corp (AMPW)

American Power Corp (AMPW), incorporated on August 7, 2007, is an exploration-stage company. The Company�� primary focus is on acquiring, exploring and developing coal, oil and gas properties in the United States, with a particular focus on the Rocky Mountains region. The Company has acquired certain coal and minerals rights located in the Judith Basin County, Montana, collectively known as the PACE Coal Project.

As of December 29, 2011, the Company had completed a total of 14,076 feet of drilling for all three phases of its exploration drilling program. As of September 30, 2011, the Company�� sole project was PACE Coal Project. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.

Hot Energy Companies To Invest In Right Now: National Fuel Gas Company(NFG)

National Fuel Gas Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified energy company primarily in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Utility, Pipeline and Storage, Exploration and Production, and Energy Marketing. The Utility segment sells natural gas or provides natural gas transportation services to approximately 727,000 customers in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Jamestown, New York; and Erie and Sharon, Pennsylvania. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation and storage services for affiliated and nonaffiliated companies through an integrated gas pipeline system; and 27 underground natural gas storage fields, as well as 4 other underground natural gas storage fields owned and operated jointly with other interstate gas pipeline companies. This segment also transports natural gas for industrial customers and power producers in New York State. It owns the Empire Pipeline, a 157-mile pipeline; and the Empire Connector, which is a 76-mile pipeline extension. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration for, and the development and purchase of natural gas and oil reserves in California, in the Appalachian region of the United States, and in the Gulf Coast region of Texas and Louisiana. As of September 30, 2009, this segment had proved developed and undeveloped reserves of 46,587 thousand barrels of oil and 248,954 million cubic feet equivalent of natural gas. The Energy Marketing segment markets natural gas to industrial, wholesale, commercial, public authority, and residential customers primarily in western and central New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. The company also develops and operates mid-range independent power production and landfill gas electric generation facilities. National Fuel Gas Company was founded in 1902 and is based in Williamsville, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  National Fuel Gas (NYSE: NFG  ) is hewing tightly to tradition with its upcoming shareholder payout. The company has declared a bump in its quarterly dividend, to $0.375 per share. This will be dispensed on July 15 to shareholders of record as of June 28. That amount is 2.7% higher than the firm's previous four distributions of $0.365 apiece, the most recent of which was paid in April. Prior to that, National Fuel Gas handed out $0.355 per share.

Markets next week: Into 2013’s home stretch

With October in the rear view, the countdown to year-end has officially begun: T-minus 40 sessions and counting until portfolio managers throughout the world wipe their slates clean and start chasing performance anew.

Just as markets that are strong all day (with 2:1 positive breadth of advancers vs. decliners, or better) tend to end that way, the bulls are betting markets that have been strong all year — with 92.2% of the S&P 29% higher on average — will follow a similar script. Past performance is no guarantee of future return, but while history doesn't always repeat, it often rhymes.

Sir Isaac Newton once determined that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The Federal Reserve is trying to disprove that law of motion, asserting it will avoid massive losses by never selling the mortgage-backed securities on its $2.84 trillion balance sheet. Cue Mel Brooks in History of the World: "It's good to be the king!"

There are several hot-button issues emerging — the prevailing direction of social mood (see my story "Why Kim Kardashian Matters to Social Mood" below) and increasingly strained foreign relations, among them — but they've seemingly been drowned out by a flood of profits. And as we know, politicians view the stock market as the world's largest thermometer.

Twitter opens for trading on Thursday — presumably in 140 characters or less — which will highlight a busy week for financial markets. Monday is the deadline for Fairfax Financial to buy BlackBerry, the ECB will announce its rate decision (and perhaps further market operations on Thursday), and October non-farm payrolls will be released on Friday, complete with an asterisk for the government shutdown.

More from Minyanville:

Why Kim Kardashian matters to the stock market

So much for story stocks? What a Tesla top could mean for all stocks

Hey buddy, can you spare a market pullback?

Tim Cook Is dreaming of an iPad Christmas

Bulls and Bears still batt! ling over stock market treats

This story was originally published on Minyanville. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Strikes eCommerce Deal with ESPN (DKS)

The Pennsylvania-based sporting goods retailer, Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS), announced it had reached an agreement with ESPN to serve as the exclusive online retailer for licensed merchandise.

Dicks’s will be embarking on a multi-year agreement as the exclusive online merchant for sporting goods merchandise on ESPN.com and related web properties. The new agreement will allow for fans to shop from an expanded product lineup of licensed fanware available at the rebranded ESPN Fan Shop powered by Dick’s Sporting Goods; sources also stated that contextually integrated shopping opportunities will also be featured across ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Radio, and a number of mobile properties including ScoreCenter, GameCast, and WastchESPN.

Sports fans will not be limited to shopping for apparel on the rebranded ESPN Fan Shop powered by Dick’s; the online store will also carry a whole host of other ESPN merchandise, including the popular documentary series “30 for 30.”

Dick’s shares traded higher on Monday, gaining 0.91% to kick off the trading week. The stock is up nearly 19% YTD.

Mid-Afternoon Market Update: RocketFuel Drops Following First Earnings Report, Markets Rise

Toward the end of trading Friday, the Dow traded up 0.61 percent to 15,688.23 while the NASDAQ surged 1.26 percent to 3,905.80. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.91 percent to 1,763.18.

Top Headline
McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) reported downbeat comparable-restaurant sales for October.

McDonald's global same-restaurant sales increased 0.5 percent in October. However, analysts were expecting a 0.6 percent growth. Analysts at RBC Capital initiated coverage on the stock with a Sector Perform rating.

Equities Trading UP
Santarus (NASDAQ: SNTS) shot up 37.95 percent to $32.03 after Salix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SLXP) announced its plans to buy Santarus for around $2.12 billion. Santarus and Pharming also announced new data from open-label repeat treatment study with RUCONEST.

Shares of Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED) got a boost, shooting up 24.36 percent to $36.25 after the company reported upbeat Q3 results and issued a strong FY13 revenue forecast.

SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE) was also on the rise, gaining a staggering 17.06 percent to $12.48 after the company reported a strong third quarter report and the solar sector as a whole continued to show strength.

Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Microsemi (NASDAQ: MSCC) were down 4.18 percent to $23.16 after the company issued a downbeat Q1 outlook.

U.S. Silica Holdings (NYSE: SLCA) shares tumbled 1.86 percent to $32.15 after the company priced 11.5 million shares at $31.50 per share for selling holders.

Rocket Fuel (NASDAQ: FUEL) was also down, falling 16.98 percent to $39.31 after the company reported disappointing earnings in its first quarterly report since being public.

Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 0.30 percent to $94.48, while gold traded down 1.73 percent to $1,285.90.

Silver traded down 1.06 percent Friday to $21.44, while copper rose 0.34 percent to $3.26.

Eurozone
European shares were mostly lower today. The Spanish Ibex Index dropped 0.05 percent, while Italy's FTSE MIB Index rose 0.49 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX declined 0.12 percent and the French CAC 40 tumbled 0.48 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.10 percent.

Economics
The US economy added 204,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent from 7.2 percent in October. However, economists were projecting a gain of 120,000 jobs in October.

US consumer spending increased 0.2 percent in September, versus an unrevised 0.3 percent growth in August. Personal income increased 0.5 percent in the month. However, economists were expecting a 0.3 percent rise in spending and personal income.

The preliminary reading of the Reuter's/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index declined to 72 in November, versus a final reading of 73.2 in October. However, economists were expecting the index to increase to 75.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is expected to speak at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Posted-In: Earnings News Guidance Eurozone Commodities Forex Global Econ #s Economics Hot Intraday Update Markets Movers Tech

(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Blackberry Ltd (BBRY): Abandons Sale – Does It Makes Sense?

Attention all BlackBerry investors! There is no sale, only cash injection.

Shareholders of BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) (TSE:BB) woke up today with a sense of shock as the Canadian company called off its sale process. Instead, it believes it can still turn the company around with the help of a $1 billion investment from Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings and other institutional investors.

The company also said it would replace its chief executive, Thorsten Heins with John Chen on an interim basis. Chen was as the former chairman and CEO of Sybase Inc. a database software company that SAP AG bought in 2010. Chen, who joined the private equity group Silver Lake as senior adviser last year, will be handling Heins' office till a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed.

The latest development comes as Fairfax Financial, which tentatively agreed to buy BlackBerry for $4.7 billion in September, struggled to raise financing for the deal. The $4.7 billion for all of BlackBerry was very large compared to Fairfax's reported total assets of $36.1 billion and shareholders' equity of $8.6 billion as of June 30, 2013.

Under the new deal, BlackBerry will raise $1 billion via sale of convertible debentures. The 6 percent 7-year unsecured subordinated debentures would be convertible into common shares of BlackBerry at a price of $10.00 a share, a 28.7 percent premium to the closing price of BlackBerry common shares on Nov. 1, 2013. If all of the $1 billion of debentures were converted, it would represent about 16 percent of the share count.

Investors have an option to buy up to an additional $250 million worth of debentures within 30 days following the closing. If this happens, the common shares issued upon conversion represent approximately 19.2 percent of the common shares.

Along with Fairfax's investment, chairman and CEO Prem Watsa (a major shareholder) will join BlackBerry's board.

BlackBerry is the firm that invented the smartphone market, but it is now at the rec! eiving end. It is sad, but an undeniable fact. BlackBerry, which has been losing share to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android-based handsets such as Samsung Galaxy brand phones, had been pinning its hopes on its new line of BlackBerry 10 devices. Those devices got only a lukewarm response.

Due to waning sales, the price of BlackBerry Z10 model was cut to $49.99 while the device had originally gone on sale in the U.S. in March for $199.99 with a two-year contract. In September, BlackBerry wrote down nearly $1 billion in unsold inventory of Z10 and announced 4,500 layoffs.

The company reported a second quarter loss of $965 million while Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system has surpassed BlackBerry for third in market share, behind Apple iOS and Google Android.

Global demand for high-end smartphones may be decelerating and driven by replacement cycles and product cycle driven with the focus now shifting to the mid-tier in emerging markets, where BlackBerry faces stiff rivalry from cheaper Chinese Android variants, Samsung and Nokia.

As a result, the concerns of BlackBerry would quit the handset market is growing following a huge net loss in the second quarter, and given that the handset market requires significant scale to be competitive. Reuters says that the company is not planning to quit the handset market.

Though the strategy to move away from consumer products may not prove successful, it doesn't seem a child's play either for BB with consumers already accustomed to iOS and Android. These two platforms have become synonymous with users as the operating system and ecosystem matters.

In this environment, it would have been a wise call for BlackBerry to sell itself and turnaround the company away from the watchful eyes of Wall Street. However, this didn't happen, and investors who have been waiting for months hoping to see a sale were terribly disappointed. No wonder, shares plunged as much as 18 percent on Monday.

All the issues surrounding BlackBerry co! st invest! ors billions as the market capitalization of the company plunged to $4.8 billion from $82 billion at its peak in 2008. It is a case where the shareholders are suffering at the expense of some poor management strategies and execution. Management is getting their pay though. In case you don't know, the outgoing Heins may get about $20 million in a compensation package.

So, what to do with the stock? The answer is simple – exit the stock as there are no signs of near-term improvement in fundamentals and it may get worse in the coming quarters.

Not able to save properly? What's your excuse?

When it comes to saving individuals usually have a ready reckoner of standard excuses. While some reasons are genuine others can only be classified as the dog-ate-my-homework variety in other words there is lack of intent.

Saving is very important in fact it must come to individuals as simply as breathing or even as necessary as breathing. Failure to save can lead to financial ruin. The moment investors understand this simple fact, they will put an end to excuses and take deliberate steps towards saving.

When they are young, just starting out in their career paths, individuals do not place a lot of importance on providing for financial security.

We have seen delaying financial planning only transfers the pressure to the later years when individuals have the added responsibility of managing families, buying bigger houses etc, which squeezes the available surplus.

Also studies have shown that increasing the contributions in the future does not help bridge the gap created by delayed investing.

So why do individuals delay planning for their finances? What are their biggest excuses?

We list the four most oft-cited excuses for not saving:

1. Higher expenses
Studies in US markets have shown that over 40% of workers cite higher living expenses such as rent, lifestyle expenses, and household expenses amongst others as a hindrance towards saving.

While there can be no taking away from the fact that expenses have spiked over the years, this cannot be a reason to skip saving.

From a young age, individuals must consider paying themselves first by saving and then providing for expenses from available surplus and not the other way round.

2. Too much debt
Another excuse that comes naturally is I have too much debt and can't think of saving.

Individuals have loans personal loans, home loans, auto loans, even student loans for their own studies.

Then of course, there is credit card debt.

The debt burden shackles the individuals' finances not allowing them to think beyond paying off dues.

To be sure, it is prudent financial planning to pay off debt first. However, individuals must unearth the surplus, even if it calls taking up an additional part-time job or freelance work, to start an investment plan with basic contribution.

This can be raised later as the debt declines. 

3. Inability to understand the investment plan
This qualifies as the dog-ate-my-homework excuse. In other words, they show lack of intent more than anything else.

While some investment plans are confusing and intricate, they cannot be cited as reasons for not investing. Either such plans are not meant for you in the first place, or they can be understood by discussing the same with your financial planner.

If crunching numbers and financial planning is not your thing or stresses you out consider engaging a reputed financial planner who can prepare a financial plan for you that takes into consideration your financial objectives and risk profile.

4. I am never going to retire
Lot of individuals love the work they do, so much so they cannot picture themselves retiring.

But really, retirement is not always by choice. At times individuals are forced to retire because they are ill, get disabled or are simply laid off. Then there is the retirement age limit when you must retire no matter how much you love your job.

So individuals will in fact retire in the future, whether they like it or not.

And it is for this eventuality that they must plan deliberately. So it is a good idea to start saving towards retirement earlier on regardless of whether you have plans to retire or not. At least you will live secure in the confidence that you have a safety cushion for emergencies.

Attaining financial independence or complete 'nirvana' is a compelling reason for one to start planning for your finances and start saving.

The author is Senior VP & Business Head at Edelweiss Securities.

SEC's Gallagher Calls for Small-Cap 'Venture Exchanges'

U.S. regulators are weighing a variety of ways to give smaller companies a leg up, from allowing their stocks to trade in pricing increments greater than one penny to implementing provisions of last year's JOBS Act that cut red tape for startups.

For Dan Gallagher, a Republican member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, these efforts are a good start but don't go far enough.

Mr. Gallagher, in a speech Wednesday, said the best way to reduce regulatory burdens and encourage more startups to go public is to create special "venture exchanges" where small companies would exclusively trade their shares while also adhering to loosened disclosure and other rules.

"Through well-designed venture exchanges governed by scaled, sensible regulation, small companies would be provided with a proper runway for them to grow while at the same time providing investors with the material disclosures they need to make informed decisions," he said.

Mr. Gallagher's remarks come as the SEC continues to implement provisions of last year's Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act which aims to make it easier for startups to grow into public companies and reduces regulatory burdens on smaller public businesses. The law also requires the SEC to allow privately-held companies to use "crowdfunding" techniques to sell small shares to lots of ordinary investors.

Critics, including state securities regulators and investor advocates, have warned the JOBS Act goes too far in rolling back investor protections and makes it easier for bad actors to pitch fraudulent schemes on unsophisticated investors.

Mr. Gallagher acknowledged the threat of fraud. Yet he said it is "critically important" for the SEC to implement the JOBS Act and "resist the regulatory impulse that so often hinders capital formation in a quest for the nanny state ideal of achieving perfect investor protection through the complete elimination of risk."

Mr. Gallagher said the SEC should also weigh the "venture exchange" idea, backed by one of the agency's advisory committees to create a "distinct marketplace for the securities of small and emerging companies." Canada and the United Kingdom already have specially-designed exchange markets serving as small-company "incubators," he said.

"The goal would be to require less disclosure overall while focusing on the most important, material information in order to reassure investors that companies are not acting inappropriately or fraudulently," Mr. Gallagher said.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014

Shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) rose 5.34% last week and now rest at $33.49, The last time investors saw prices this high was for a few months during late 2007 and early 2008, before the financial crisis hit. Before that, shares hadn't been much above the $30 mark since 2001.

Year to date, shares of Microsoft are up more than 25%, making it the third best performing component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) in 2013. Only Walt Disney, which is up more than 30% this year, and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ  ) , which has risen 44.77%, have outperformed Microsoft. Furthermore, we have to go back to the third week of February to find the last time shares moved lower during a one-week trading period. So with shares setting new 52-week highs, should investors take their money and run now that they're likely to be in the green, or should they let it ride?

First off, one reason shares have performed so well in 2013 is that investor expectations were set so low that any good news, no matter how small, has seemed to push shares higher. The initial sales numbers for both Windows 8 and the Surface tablet were so poor that now anytime a report indicates that sales are holding firm or growing, the stock is going to pop.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Dycom Industries Inc.(DY)

Dycom Industries, Inc. provides specialty contracting services in the United States and Canada. The company?s services include engineering services, which comprise the design of service area concept boxes, terminals, buried and aerial drops, transmission and central office equipment, administration of feeder and distribution cable pairs, and fiber cable routing and design for telephone companies; and make-ready studies, strand mapping, field walk-out, computer-aided radio frequency design and drafting, and fiber cable routing and design for cable television multiple system operators. The company also provides construction, maintenance, and installation of splice fiber, copper, and coaxial cables to telephone companies; installation and maintenance of customer premise equipment, including set top boxes and cable modems to cable television multiple system operators; and premise wiring services, which include installation, repair, and maintenance of telecommunications infrast ructure within improved structures to various corporations, and state and local governments. In addition, Dycom offers underground utility locating services, such as locating telephone, cable television, power, water, sewer, and gas lines to various utility companies. Further, it provides construction and maintenance services for electric utilities and others, which include installing and maintaining overhead and underground power distribution lines, as well as maintenance and installation of underground natural gas transmission and distribution systems. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of telecom contractor Dycom Industries (NYSE: DY  ) climbed 11% today after its quarterly results and outlook topped Wall Street expectations.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Harsco have gained 4.7% to $26.43 today at 1:16 p.m., outpacing other construction & engineering companies. Dycom (DY) has advanced 0.5% to $30, KBR Inc. (KBR) has ticked up 0.1% to $33.03, Worthington Industries�(WOR) has risen 2.8% to $38.85�and Tutor Perini (TPC) has rallied 3.6% to $22.46.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Dycom Industries (NYSE: DY  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Dycom Industries (NYSE: DY  ) reported earnings on May 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended April 27 (Q3), Dycom Industries beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Toronto-Dominion Com Npv (TD.TO)

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial and banking services in North America and internationally. The company�s Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking segment offers various financial products and services to personal and small business customers. It also provides banking solutions through telephone and Internet banking, as well as serves approximately 13 million customers through a network of 1,168 branches and 2,800 automated banking machines in Canada. In addition, this segment offers financing, investment, cash management, and international trade services to medium-sized Canadian businesses; financing options to customers at point-of-sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through its auto dealer network; and credit cards. Its Wealth and Insurance segment offers direct investing, advice, and asset management services to institutional and retail clients; and a range of insurance products, including home, auto, cre dit protection, travel, life, and health insurance, as well as reinsurance through phone and online. The company�s U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking segment provides retail and commercial banking operations in the United States. This segment offers its financial products and services through a network of approximately 1,315 stores located along the east coast from Maine to Florida; telephone, mobile, and Internet banking; and automated banking machines. Its Wholesale Banking segment provides a range of capital markets and investment banking products and services comprising underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues, providing advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures, and meeting the daily trading, funding, and investment needs. This segment serves companies, governments, and institutions in financial markets worldwide. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Hot Gold Stocks To Buy For 2014: Thor Industries Inc.(THO)

Thor Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells a range of recreation vehicles and small and mid-size buses, as well as related parts and accessories in the United States and Canada. The company offers a range of travel trailers and motorhomes under the trade name of Airstream, which include Airstream Safari, International, Flying Cloud, and Bambi travel trailers, as well as Interstate Class B motorhomes. It also manufactures and sells conventional travel trailers and fifth wheels under the trade names of Dutchmen, Four Winds, Aero, Grand Junction, Colorado, Cruiser, Seville, Zinger, and Sunset Trail; travel trailers and fifth wheels under trade names of Montana, Springdale, Hornet, Sprinter, Outback, Laredo, Everest, Mountaineer, Challenger, Cougar, Komfort, and Trailblazer; and gasoline and diesel Class C, Class A, and Class B motorhomes under the trade names of Four Winds, Hurricane, Windsport, Mandalay, Dutchmen, Chateau, Serrano, Ventura, and Fun Mover. In addition, it manufactures and sells gasoline and diesel Class A motor homes under the trade names of Daybreak, Challenger, Astoria, Tuscany, Outlaw, and Avanti; travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, and park models under the trade name of General Coach; and park models under the trade names of Tranquility, Westchester, and Breckenridge. Further, the company manufactures small and mid-size transit and commercial buses under the trade names of Aerolite, AeroElite, Aerotech, Escort, MST, Transmark, EZ Rider, Axess, Challenger, Defender, Crusader, American Cruiser, Classic Coach, EZ Trans, GC II, and Pacer. It markets its vehicles through independent dealers to municipalities and private purchasers, such as rental car companies and hotels. The company has a joint venture agreement with Cruise America, Inc. to provide short-term rentals of motorized recreation vehicles to the public. Thor Industries was founded in 1980 and is based in Jackson Center, Oh io.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Grace L. Williams]

  Shares of Winnebago have gained 4.4% to $28.47 today at 3pm. Thor Industries (THO), which also makes recreational vehicles, has ticked up 0.1% to $57.56, Drew Industries (DW) has risen 0.3% to $48.74, Arctic Cat (ACAT) has advanced 1% to $59.87 and Polaris Industries (PII) has fallen 0.3% to $132.08.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: News Corporation(NWSA)

News Corporation operates as a diversified media company worldwide. Its Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in entertainment media, as well as produces and licenses television programming worldwide. Its Television segment operates 27 broadcast television stations in the United States. The company?s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment distributes programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy. Its Publishing segment provides newspapers and information services, such as publishing national newspapers in the United Kingdom, approximately 146 newspapers in Australia, and a metropolitan and a national newspaper in the United States; book publishing services, including the publishing of English language books worldwide; and integrated marketing services comprising the publishing of free-standing inserts, which are marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates, and other consumer offers, as well as provides in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada. The company also sells advertising, sponsorships, and subscription services on the company?s various digital media properties and outdoor advertising space on various media primarily in Russia and eastern Europe; and provides data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualized instructions. News Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET.COM]

  News Corp. is a media and information services company that was recently spun off of its very profitable entertainment segment. A popular hedge fund has recently acquired a significant portion of the company’s voting stock. The stock has been moving higher after its recent spinoff. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenues have been rising, which has pleased investors in the company. Relative to its peers and sector, News Corp. has been a weak year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what News Corp. does this coming quarter.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET.COM]

  News Corp. is a media and information services company that has recently spun-off of its very profitable entertainment segment. It is being reported that the company recently made a profit which is a turn around from last year, signaling signs of improvement. The stock has seen progress but is now pulling-back as markets book gains. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenues have been on the rise which has left investors optimistic about the company. Relative to its peers and sector, News Corp. has been a weak year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what News Corp. does this quarter.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET.COM]

  News Corp. is a multimedia giant that is able to reach and affect audiences all over the world. The stock has been a big winner over the last several years and is currently digesting gains for a strong run. Over the last four quarters, investors in the company have been upbeat as earnings and revenue figures have been rising. Relative to its strong peers and sector, News Corp. has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for News Corp. to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Sino Clean Energy Inc.(SCEI)

Sino Clean Energy Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a third party commercial producer and distributor of coal-water slurry fuel (CWSF) in the People?s Republic of China. The company?s CWSF products are primarily used to fuel boilers and furnaces to generate steam and heat for residential and industrial applications. It sells its products directly to various customers, including industrial, commercial, residential, and government organizations. The company is headquartered in Xi?an, China.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: GP Strategies Corp (GPX)

GP Strategies Corporation (GP Strategies), incorporated in 1966, is a global performance improvement solutions provider of sales and technical training, e-learning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. The Company operates in five segments: Learning Solutions, Professional & Technical Services, Sandy Training & Marketing, RWD and Energy Services. Its clients include companies and governmental and other commercial customers in a variety of industries. It serves companies in the automotive, steel, oil and gas, power, chemical, electronics and technology, manufacturing, software, financial, retail, healthcare and food and beverage industries, as well as government agencies. On December 31, 2011, GP Strategies Corporation merged with and into its operating subsidiary, General Physics Corporation (General Physics). On August 1, 2011, the Company acquired TK Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary Beneast Training Ltd. In September 2012, the Company acquired Rovsing Dynamics. In October 2012, it acquired BlessingWhite. In June 2013, the Company announced that it has acquired Prospero Learning Solutions. In June 2013, GP Strategies Corp announced that it has acquired Lorien Engineering Solutions (LES).

On April 15, 2011, the Company acquired the consulting business of RWD Technologies, LLC (RWD). On April 1, 2011, the Company acquired Ultra Training Ltd. On February 1, 2011, through its wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Shanghai, the Company acquired the training business and certain related assets of Cathay/Communication Consulting Limited. The Company conducts its business outside of the United States in over 40 countries primarily through its wholly owned subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Singapore, China and India. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operates in five segments: Learning Solutions, Professional & Technical Services, Sandy Training & Marketing (Sandy), RWD and Energy Services. On October 1, 2011, the C! ompany made two management reporting changes, which resulted in a change to its segments. The Learning Solutions group and the Europe group, which were both formerly part of the Manufacturing & BPO segment are aggregated into a separate segment named Learning Solutions. In addition, the Manufacturing group, which was also part of the Manufacturing & BPO segment, assumed management responsibility for the former Process & Government group and this newly combined group is a separate reportable segment named Professional & Technical Services.

The Company offers a range of training business process outsourcing (BPO) services, including design, delivery and global management of comprehensive learning programs, to national and multinational businesses and government organizations and can deliver its services individually or as a complete, integrated training solution. The Company�� consulting, engineering, and technical support services range from traditional business consulting, which include lean enterprise consulting services, to specialized engineering and technical support services, such as design and evaluation services regarding facilities, processes and systems. The Company�� consulting and engineering customers typically operate in industries, such as oil and gas, power, chemical, aerospace, transportation and manufacturing industries, and include customers, such as Pratt & Whitney, General Dynamics Corporation, Rockwell Automation, Luminant Energy, NRG Energy and Ameren Energy.

Learning Solutions

The Learning Solutions segment delivers training, curriculum design and development, e-Learning services, system hosting, training business process outsourcing and consulting services primarily to companies in the electronics and semiconductors, healthcare, software, financial and other industries as well as to government agencies. This segment�� ability to deliver a range of training services on a global basis allows it to take over the entire learning function f! or the cl! ient, including their training personnel.

Professional & Technical Services

The Professional & Technical Services segment is engaged in providing training, consulting, engineering and technical services, including lean consulting, emergency preparedness, safety and regulatory compliance, chemical demilitarization and environmental services primarily to companies in the manufacturing, steel, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries, federal and state government agencies and government contractors. This segment also provides services to users of alternative fuels, including designing and constructing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen fueling stations, as well as supplying fuel and equipment.

Sandy Training & Marketing

The Sandy segment provides custom product sales training and serving manufacturing customers in the United States automotive industry. Sandy provides custom product sales training designed to better educate customer sales forces with respect to new vehicle features and designs, in effect rapidly increasing the sales force knowledge base and enabling them to address detailed customer queries. In addition, Sandy helps its clients assess their customer relationship marketing (CRM) strategy, measure performance against competitors and connect with their customers on a one-to-one basis. This segment also provides technical training services to automotive customers.

RWD

The RWD segment provides human capital management and information technology (IT) consulting services, end user training, change management, knowledge management and operator effectiveness management solutions. The Segment operates in industries, such as manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, life sciences, consumer products, financial, telecommunications, services and higher education, as well as the public sector.

Energy Services

The Energy Services segment provides engineering services, products and training primarily! to elect! ric power utilities. The Company�� EtaProTM Performance Monitoring and Optimization System provides a suite of performance solutions for power generation plants and is installed at approximately 900 power generating units in over 30 countries. In addition to providing custom training solutions, this segment provides Web-based training through its GPiLearn portal to over 30,000 power plant personnel in the United States and in over 40 countries.

The Company provides custom training services and products to support existing, as well as the launch of new, plants, products, equipment, technologies and processes. The range of services includes fundamental analysis of a client�� training needs, curriculum design, instructional material development (in hard copy, electronic/software or other format), information technology service support and delivery of training. Training products include custom instructor and student training manuals, and instructional materials suitable for Web-based and blended learning solutions. The Company�� instructional delivery capabilities include traditional classroom, structured on-the-job training (OJT), just-in-time methods, computer-based, Web-based, video-based and the spectrum of e-Learning technologies.

The Company provides end-to-end business process outsourcing solutions, including the management of its customers training departments, as well as administrative processes, such as tuition assistance program management, vendor management, call center / help desk administration and learning management system (LMS) administration. The Company�� training BPO services encompass a spectrum of learning engagements from transactional multi-week assignments focused on a single aspect of a learning process to multi-year contracts where it manages the learning infrastructure of its customer. In addition, the Company automates a huge amount of its customers tuition reimbursement programs by utilizing its own software.

The consulting servi! ces inclu! de not only training-related consulting services, but also traditional business management, engineering and other disciplines. The Company also provides engineering consulting services to support regulatory and environmental compliance, modification of facilities and processes, plant performance improvement, reliability-centered maintenance practices and plant start-up activities. Consulting services also include IT consulting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation services, operations continuity assessment, planning, training and procedure development. Consulting products include training and reference materials.

The technical support services include procedure writing and configuration control for capital intensive facilities, plant start-up assistance, logistics support (inventory management and control), implementation and engineering assistance for facility or process modifications, facility management for high technology training environments, staff augmentation and help-desk support for standard and customized client desktop applications. Technical support products include the Company�� EtaPRO and Virtual Plant software applications that serve the power generation industry.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on GP Strategies (NYSE: GPX  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Zimmer Holdings Inc.(ZMH)

Zimmer Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of orthopedic reconstructive devices, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers orthopedic reconstructive devices that restore function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows; dental reconstructive implants, which restore function and aesthetics in patients who have lost teeth due to trauma or disease; spinal devices that are utilized by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the treatment of degenerative diseases, deformities, and trauma in various regions of the spine; and trauma devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body?s natural healing process. It also provides surgical products comprising surgical supplies and instruments designed to aid in orthopedic surgical proce dures and post-operation rehabilitation. In addition, the company offers healthcare consulting services. Its customers include orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, oral surgeons, dentists, hospitals, stocking distributors, and healthcare dealers, as well as agents, healthcare purchasing organizations, or buying groups. The company was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  He added no new stocks to the low-turnover fund in the fourth quarter, but he did make several large increases. The stock positions he increased the most are: Hospira Inc. (HSP), CVS Caremark (CVS), Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) and Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH). Hospira (HSP)

• [By Dan Carroll]

  One look around the industry this quarter tells the story. Zimmer Holdings (NYSE: ZMH  ) reported its own third-quarter results today. Zimmer's hip sales grew by only 2%, and while growing knee product sales managed to lift the company's quarterly revenue above expectations, the business hasn't been enough to save Zimmer's earnings from falling due to legal fees and other expenses. It's a similar story at Stryker (NYSE: SYK  ) , another major rival in the orthopedics space. Stryker made a big move recently to purchase robotic orthopedic surgical firm MAKO Surgical to jump-start sales growth, and it'll need the jolt. Stryker's knee business grew revenue by only 2.1% in the third quarter, and while its hip sales managed strong growth, the firm will need its smaller, faster-growing businesses to continue to come through.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Credicorp Ltd (BAP)

Credicorp Ltd. (Credicorp), incorporated on October 20, 1995, is a financial services holding company. The Company is organized in four operating segments: Banking, Insurance, Pension funds and Brokerage and other. Credicorp is engaged principally in banking (including commercial and investment banking), insurance (including commercial property, transportation and marine hull, automobile, life, health and underwriting insurance), pension funds (including private pension fund management services), and brokerage and other (including the structuring and placement of primary market securities issues and the execution and trading of secondary market transactions.). Its four operating subsidiaries are : Banco de Credito del Peru (BCP), Atlantic Security Bank (ASB), El Pacifico-Peruano Suiza Compania de Seguros y Reaseguros, and Prima AFP.

Banking segment

Banking includes handling loans, credit facilities, deposits and current accounts, and providing investment banking services, including corporate finance, both for corporate and institutional customers. Banking also includes handling deposits consumer loans and credit cards facilities for individual customers. The Company conducts banking activities in Bolivia through BCP Bolivia, a service commercial bank. Its banking business is organized into wholesale banking activities, which are carried out by BCP�� wholesale banking group (which includes the corporate banking operations of ASB), and retail banking activities, which are carried out by BCP's retail banking group. Its deposit-taking operations are managed by BCP'�� retail banking group and and ASB's private banking group.

Insurance

Credicorp�� insurance segment includes commercial property, transportation and marine hull, automobile, life, health and pension fund underwriting insurance. Private hospital services are also included under this operating segment. The Company conducts its insurance operations Grupo Pacifico and its subsidiaries, whic! h provide a broad range of insurance products. Grupo Pacifico property and casualty insurance through Pacifico Seguros, life and pension insurance through Pacifico Vida, and health care insurance through Pacificosalud EPS.. Grupo Pacifico sells its products both directly and through independent brokers and agents.

Pension funds

Credicorp�� pension funds segment provides private pension fund management services to customers. Credicorp conducts all of its pension fund activities through its private pension fund administrator Prima AFP. Credicorp through its subsidiary Prima AFP, focuses mainly on obtaining new affiliates, by providing permanent information and diverse channels of communication.

Brokerage and other

The Company�� brokerage and others segment includes the structuring and placement of primary market issues and the execution and trading of secondary market transactions. This segment also includes offers of local securitization structuring to corporate entities, management of mutual funds and other services. The majority of its trading and brokerage activities are conducted through BCP, ASB and Credicorp Securities Inc. Its asset management business is carried out by BCP in Peru, through its subsidiary Credifondo, and by ASB. It offers Brokerage and other services through BCP and ASB. BCP offers clients a range of such products and services, such as brokerage, mutual funds and custody services through its branch network in Lima and throughout the rest of Peru. In addition, ASB also offers brokerage and other services.

The Company competes with BCP, BBVA Banco Continental, Scotiabank Peru, Interbank and Banco Interamericano de Finanzas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chuck Carnevale]

  Credit Corp. Limited (BAP)

  My first featured aggressive financial candidate is Credit Corp. Limited, a Bermuda-based financial services holding company, and the largest financial holding company in Peru. Although the company is headquartered in Bermuda and operates in Peru, its long-term track record is exceptional. Once again, I will let the F.A.S.T. Graphs��speak for themselves, other than to say in addition to a great track record, this ADR is expected to offer above-average growth and appears to be very attractively valued at today�� levels.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: National Research Corporation(NRCI)

National Research Corporation provides performance measurement and improvement services, healthcare analytics, and governance education to the healthcare industry in the United States and Canada. The company?s services include data collection, best practice identification, and delivery of value-added business intelligence. Its performance measurement and improvement services enable its clients to collect, analyze, and utilize meaningful business intelligence to improve performance relative to satisfaction, quality, cost, clinical outcomes, and other key performance metrics; Web-based electronic delivery systems provide clients the ability to review results and reports online, independently analyze data, query data sets, customize various reports, and distribute reports electronically; and business intelligence solutions provide clients with current key metric results, as well as best practice benchmarking information. The company also provides assessments, including consu mer quality perceptions, product-line preferences, service use, and visit satisfaction for approximately 4,900 hospitals and health systems. In addition, it offers subscription-based governance education services to the boards of directors and medical leadership of hospital and healthcare systems. The company provides information regarding organization governance, as well as emerging healthcare issues through online content, publications, periodicals, reference books, and associated videos through its resource catalog; and produces various executive healthcare leadership conferences. It primarily serves senior care profession and home health markets. National Research Corporation was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Top 10 Performing Companies To Watch For 2014: Domino Printing(DNO.L)

Domino Printing Sciences plc engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of industrial printing equipment, controllers, and consumables for the high-speed printing of variable information. Its primary products include printers, controllers, consumables, fluids, and spare parts, as well as provides after sales support services. The company also offers black ink for a range of plastic-based substrates; coding and marking solutions to identify, authenticate, and personalize products; and codes and marks for protection of brand value. In addition, Domino Printing Sciences plc provides various technology solutions, including ink jet, thermal ink jet, scribing laser, binary, thermal transfer overprinting, drop on demand, print and apply labelling machinery, and laser printers. Further, it offers digital printing technologies, which are used in Web-based applications. Domino Printing Sciences plc serves beverage, binding, cable and wire, construction, cosmetics and personal care, electronics, finishing, food, games management, mailing, pharmaceutical, plastic cards, newspaper, postal systems, and tobacco, as well as for tickets, tags, and labels industries. The company distributes its products through third party distributors primarily in North America, South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East/Africa. Domino Printing Sciences plc was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.